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Release peaceful protesters

Several human rights organizations including Civil Rights Defenders condemn the recent arrests of peaceful demonstrators in Belarus. We call upon the Belarusian authorities to immediately release all protesters from prisons and respect the right to freedom of assembly to all its citizens.

In the past several months, the dissenting civil activists have been organizing silent protests to protest peacefully against the increasingly repressive Belarusian government. Since 15 June 2011, at least 1730 people were arrested during peaceful demonstrations across the country. On 6 July 2011, more than 400 participants of silent protesters, including at least 28 journalists, were arrested all over the country.

Harsh treatment of peaceful protesters and dispersal of demonstrations are clear violations of the right to freedom of assembly. The right of peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Belarus is a party. The right to peaceful assembly is also established in Article 35 of the Belarusian Constitution.